Strawberry plant variety named ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ particularly characterized by its high yield, rain tolerance, and large fruit size with better flavor than its parents, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ was discovered in Hillsborough County, Fla. in February of 2012 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘166T218’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘DrisStrawForty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,747). A single plant was selected and asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in 2012.

‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at a farm in Huelva, Spain for two years (2015 to 2016). The present invention has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Huelva, Spain:

-   -   1. Large, vivid reddish orange, sweet fruit that is uniform;     -   2. Flat globose plant habit;     -   3. Early harvest maturity; and     -   4. Moderate rain tolerance.

‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ was selected for its high yield, rain tolerance, large fruit size, and good fruit flavor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, as well as the flowers and leaves. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are eight months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal cross-sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’.

FIG. 3A shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ with three leaflets.

FIG. 3B shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ with three leaflets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Huelva, Spain from 2015 to 2016. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ was taken from eight month old plants. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘166T218’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘DrisStrawForty’ (U.S.             Plant Pat. No. 25,747). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—12.75 cm.         -   Diameter.—31.27 cm.         -   Number of crowns/plant.—2.7.         -   Habit.—Flat globose. -   Terminal leaflets:     -   -   Length.—6.4 cm.         -   Width.—6.5 cm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.0.         -   Number of teeth/terminal leaflet.—23.7.         -   Shape of teeth.—Rounded — crenate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS N137A (Moderate olive green).             Lower surface: RHS N138C (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Shape in cross section.—Slightly concave.         -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Shape.—Obicular.         -   Base shape.—Acute.         -   Apex descriptor.—Rounded.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin profile.—Revolute (Margins rolled backwards).         -   Variegation.—Absent. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—10.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—3.0 mm.         -   Pose of hairs.—Upwards.         -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green).         -   Bract frequency (number present on each petiole).—0. -   Petiolule:     -   -   Length.—6.4 mm.         -   Diameter.—2.0 mm.         -   Color.—RHS 144C (Strong yellow-green). -   Stipule:     -   -   Length.—3.2 cm.         -   Width.—8.5 mm.         -   Stipule anthocyanin coloration.—Absent. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—2.32.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Present.         -   Diameter at bract.—4.55 mm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position relative to foliage.—Above.         -   Flower diameter.—34.8 mm.         -   Petals.—Shape: Obicular. Apex: Rounded. Base:             Concavo-convex. Margin: Entire. Spacing: Touching. Length:             14.3 mm. Width: 14.5 mm. Length/width ratio: 1.0. Petal             number per flower: 6.9. Color (upper surface): RHS 155C             (Greenish white).         -   Calyx.—Diameter: 40 mm. Insertion of calyx: Level. Pose of             calyx segments: Spreading — outwards.         -   Sepal.—Shape: Elliptical. Apex: Convex. Margin: Entire.             Length: 18.5 mm. Width: 9.2 mm. Sepal number: 13.3.         -   Receptacle color.—RHS 6B (Brilliant greenish yellow).         -   Stamen.—Present. Anther color: RHS 17B (Vivid yellow).         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Downwards. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length.—25.2 cm.         -   Diameter at base of truss.—2.6 mm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—2.5.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.         -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 145B (Light yellow-green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—53.3 mm.         -   Width.—36.7 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.5.         -   Fruit hollow length.—23.4 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—6.2 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—3.8.         -   Fruit weight.—34.7 g.         -   Predominant fruit shape.—Conical.         -   Fruit skin color.—RHS 44B (Vivid reddish orange).         -   Achenes.—Insertion of achenes: Below surface. Coloration             (sunward side of berry): RHS 179B (Moderate red). Coloration             (shaded side of berry): RHS N144B (Strong yellow).         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 30D (Strong orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS 32D (Strong yellowish pink).         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Only marginal.         -   Type of bearing.—Not everbearing — not remontant.         -   Harvest interval.—Late November to late March.         -   Harvest maturity (beginning of fruit ripening when 50% of             plants have ripe fruit).—Early.         -   Production.—400 grams/plant to 900 grams/plant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL VARIETIES

When ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ is compared to the female parent ‘166T218’ (unpatented), ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ produces plants with a more vigorous plant habit, produces larger fruit, and has higher yields than ‘166T218’.

When ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ is compared to the male parent ‘DrisStrawForty’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,747), ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ produces plants that are less rain tolerant, and produces fruit that are larger and more uniform than ‘DrisStrawForty’. Additionally, plants of ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ produce plants with a flat globose plant habit and produce fruit with a vivid reddish orange color, while ‘DrisStrawForty’ produce plants with a flat-spreading plant habit and produce fruit with a dark red color. Moreover, ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ reaches harvest maturity early in the season, while ‘DrisStrawForty’ reaches harvest maturity at mid-season. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ as shown and described herein. 